OPEN STREETS MACON FAQ'S

What is Open Streets Macon?

Open Streets Macon is shifting Macon’s culture to become a more liveable city – building community and highlighting neighborhood pride, providing healthy activities for Macon residents and visitors, and educating the masses on transportation options to get where you work, live, and play.

Open Streets Macon does all these things by removing cars temporarily from MLK and Cherry Street, and opening it up for people. It creates public spaces for all and helps people think differently about streets in their communities.

Where did the idea originate?

Open Streets Macon was inspired by the ciclovia in Bogotá, Colombia, where city streets are closed to car traffic to allow people to participate in all kinds of free health and community-oriented events. Thirty years after the first program, the concept has spread around the world from Tokyo, Japan to Kiev, Ukraine. Now we are bringing it to Macon!

Is there a fee to participate?

It’s absolutely free to all.

What should I bring?

Water bottle + sunscreen

What should I do?

Bring your bike, skates, or just your feet. You can enjoy the open streets route by biking, strolling, skating, or people watching. You can also take part in free activities like dance, yoga, hula hooping, story time and more, clustered in “activity hubs” along the route. Information on these activities will be posted as the date draws nearer.

Who is invited?

Everyone! Open Streets Macon is free and open to people of all ages and abilities.

Where is the start/end?

There’s no beginning or end. Start and end anywhere along the route!

How does Open Streets Macon impact traffic?

Open Streets Macon is held on Sunday afternoon, a time of the week with relatively low motorized traffic. We carefully selected this time to avoid overlap with other large events going on throughout the city, and to allow those who attend religious services on Sunday to participate.

Additionally, there will be “soft closures” with cross traffic allowed at most intersections along the route and auto access for residents and businesses located within the closed route. This type of closure has worked very well in other cities around the world. Traffic will be monitored and future events will reflect any needed changes.

Who benefits from Open Streets Macon?

Everyone! It offers free and fun activities for Macon residents and visitors, turns streets into temporary parks in areas without many parks and that are not always people-friendly. Local businesses benefit from increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic along commercial corridors. Open Streets events model how cities can provide healthy, environmental-friendly outdoor activities for their residents.

How can I get involved?

If you are interested in volunteering with this project, please fill out the Volunteer Sign-Up Form (coming soon!). For questions, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, David Moore at david@newtownmacon.com.

To add your activity to the event, please complete the free activity partner registration. If you have specific questions, check out the activity partner FAQ’s or email rachel@bikewalkmacon.com.